• International Journal of Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Systems
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.202-206
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• 2008

We introduce the concept of interval-valued minimal structure which is an extension of the interval-valued fuzzy topology. And we introduce and study the concepts of IVF m-continuous and several types of compactness on the interval-valued fuzzy m-spaces.

• Honam Mathematical Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.417-431
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• 2006

The notions of IVF strongly semiopen (semiclosed) mappings and IVF strongly semicontinuous mappings are introduced, and several examples are provided. Related properties are investigated. In particular, characterizations of an IVF strongly semiopen mapping and an IVF strongly semicontinuous mapping are discussed.

• Honam Mathematical Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.223-244
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• 2007

We introduce the notions of interval-valued fuzzy semipreopen sets (mappings), interval-valued fuzzy semi-pre interior and interval-valued fuzzy semi-pre-continuous mappings by using the notion of interval-valued fuzzy sets. We also investigate related properties and characterize interval-valued fuzzy semi-preopen sets (mappings) and interval-valued fuzzy semi-precontinuous mappings.

• International Journal of Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Systems
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2009

We introduce the concepts of interval-valued fuzzy M-continuity and interval-valued fuzzy M$^*$(M)-open mappings. And we study some characterizations and basic properties of such functions.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.5 no.1 s.9
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• pp.93-123
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• 2005

This work has following two research goals. First, IVF treatments that have been recently going on in Korea are reexamined from the perspective of women's reproductive rights. Second, the intimate connection between IVF and therapeutic cloning research, in that remnant embryos and eggs that have been secured through IVF treatments have served as a main source of supply for therapeutic cloning research, has been emphasized. The fact that the influencing power of tradition on Korean families and women and IVF techniques eventually joined their hands in support of therapeutic cloning research is noted. Analysis of experiences of infertility by women in the realms of family, medical care during IVF treatment, and therapeutic cloning research that requires continuous supply of eggs leads to following conclusions. First, in the realm of family, infertile women were not only relegated to the status of abnormality but pressured to question their own womanhood. Under this circumstance, IVF treatment helped to reinforce the traditional concept of biological motherhood, thus categorizing married women giving birth to babies and married women who can't or refuses to do so to 'normal ones' and 'abnormal ones' respectively. Second, in the realm of medical care an infertile woman could rediscover her own body during the process of IVF treatment. By going through the processes of hormone treatment, implantation, conception, miscarriage, and so on, she could realize that her own body is understood in diverse ways to her, her family, and the medical profession. Third, in the realm of the state, IVF treatment that was serving as the main supplier of research materials for therapeutic cloning research has been able to avoid controversy in public discourses since the latter has emerged as a signifier of new national economic workhorse for the 21st century. As therapeutic cloning research went into high gear, the status of women as egg providers began to assume a political dimension. Women as egg providers are called upon to take on a paradoxical role as patriotic contributors to national economy on the one hand and as guardians of sacred 'life' on the other hand. The direction and progress of the research will depend on the ways that women comply, compromise, and/or resist the contradiction brought about by being assigned to assume these two identities: the one as a member of the nation requested to serve as a part of national economic development project, even though considered ineligible for financial recompense, and the other one as a guardian of sacred 'life,' even though she have to serve the research that is allowed to create a 'life' to destroy a 'life.'

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 1991

In order to increase the pregnancy rate by means of cryopreservation of the excess oocytes in IVF-ET program, the survival rate of the frozen-thawed oocytes of mouse was examined according to the stages of maturation, cryoprotectants and their treatment. The results were summarized as follows. First, during the continuous treatment with cryoprotectant media, the survival rate of oocytes was higher in DMSO than in PROH, and higher at low temperature($4^{\circ}C$) than at room temperature($25^{\circ}C$). Second, as regard with the maturation of immature(GV-intact) oocytes after treatment with cryoprotectant media, the rate of maturation in DMSO-treated group(52%) was higher than in PROH-treated group(35%). Third, according to the treatment of cryoprotectant media, the survival rate of frozen-thawed oocytes in DMSO-treated group (45%) was higher than in PROH-treated group(29%), and that of oocytes in DMSO 4-step treated group was higher than any other groups. Finally, in the post-thaw oocytes frozen at various stage of maturation, the survival rate of immature oocytes with GV was the highest in all groups. These results suggest that in the cryopreservation of mouse oocytes, DMSO was better than PROH as cryoprotectant, in treatment of cryprotectant the multi-step treatment was better than single-step, and the post-thaw survival rate of oocytes was closely related to the maturity of oocytes. It is assumed that the highest survival rate of mouse oocytes with GV is due to the stability of the structures in nucleus and intracelluar organelles, and of physiological function.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.24-33
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the benefit of Traditional Korean Medicine as an adjuvant therapy in management of early uterine contractions and the prevention of Preterm Birth (PTB). Methods: It is a case report of a 38 year-old-woman hospitalized for irregular uterine contractions and cervical change at 33^+3/7weeks of gestation. After 7 trials of IVF and artificial insemination, conception was successful via IVF with help of traditional Korean medicines. 2 TKMs were prescribed: Gami-danggui-san, and Antae-eum. 120 ml of Gami-danggui-san was given twice a day morning and evening along with same amount of Antae-eum once a day from 31 August 2013 to 28 November 2013. Tocolytics (Ritodrine) was administered as a first aid for maintenance of pregnancy. Information regarding progress until the delivery was collected during the patient’s visit. Results: As of 34^+2/7 weeks of gestation, intermittent uterine contractions appeared (5-12 min) on cardiotocography and vaginal bleeding was also smeared at 34^+3/7 weeks. However, enhanced tocolytics and continuous administration of herbal medicine sustained the pregnancy to term. At 37^+2/7 weeks, no sign of labor with restored cervical length was confirmed. The woman gave a term birth to a healthy infant via vaginal delivery at 39^+3/7 gestational weeks. Conclusions: Our report implies the potential of herbal medicine as a adjuvant therapy for preterm labor treatment. Further studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of TKM herbal medicine as a therapeutic alternative for curing preterm birth.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 1994

The influence of hypoxanthine and ovarian steroids on the meiotic maturation process of mouse oocytes was investigated for the qualified application of culture medium in in vitro fertilization(IVF). Mouse oocytes were cultured in hypoxanthine and various ovarian steroids(progesterone, estradiol-17${\beta}$ and testosterone) and their effects on the oocyte maturation had been observed. When mouse oocytes were cultured in the various concentration(1-4mM) of hypoxanthine, meiotic maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes was inhibited by presence itself, which was a dose-dependent effect in meiotic arrest of mouse oocytes. The presence of progesterone, estradiol-17${\beta}$ and testosterone have made the mouse oocyte mature properly. Meanwhile maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed oocyte was severely inhibited by 3 hoursculture in the media of progesterone supplemented with hypoxanthine. However the continuous presence lasting 24 hours of progesterone even supplemented with hypoxanthine had got rid of the inhibition of oocytes maturation. Not only estradiol-17${\beta}$ supplemented with hypoxanthine but also testosterone supplemented with hypoxanthine exert the severe inhibition of the maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes for 3-hours culture. However the continuous presence lasting 24 hours of estradiol-17${\beta}$ and testosterone even supplemented with· hypoxanthine had relieved the inhibition of oocytes maturation. These results make us suggest that hypoxanthine inhibits the mouse oocyte maturation, particularly markedly in conjunction with ovarian steroids for short period, which indicated some sort of the synergistic inhibitory retationship between the ovarian steroids and hypoxanthine.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1997

Recent studies have demonstrated that apoptotic cell death plays an important role in the mechanism underlying follicular atresia and luteolysis. However, the mechanisms responsible for initiating these processes have not been elucidated. In in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs, it is highly possible that continuous and repeated administration of FSH/hMG and GnRH agonists for the usage of ovarian hyperstimulation may induce apoptotic death of granulosa cells leading to atresia in the human ovarian follicles. The present study was performed to investigate whether FSH/hMG and GnRh agonists used for a longer period in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation has any effect on the apoptosis of granulosa-luteal (GL) cells obtained from hyperstimulated ovaries. To examine apoptotic cell death in the GL cells, cells were stained with acridie orange followed by observed in some of GL cells. Similar but distinct staining of apoptotic GL cells was observed when the cells were examined by using in situ TUNEL method. The healthy-looking cells with normal nuclear morphology were not stained, whereas cells with pyknotic nuclei or with apoptotic nuclei were intensively stained. After examining the ultrastructural features of GL cells by TEM, it was confirmed that the majority of cells seemed to have normal nuclei while GL cells undergoing apoptotic cel death were rarely found. The DNA extracted from GL cells showed a typical pattern of fragmentation following DNA electrophoretic analysis. We have confirmed that the apoptosis occurs in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from hyperstimulated ovaries. Technically, in situ apoptosis detection method is simple and reproducible and is well suited to identify the quality of oocytes retrieved from hyperstimulated ovaries.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2007

Objective: A quality management system of international standardization organization (ISO) 9001:2000 has been proposed to properly evaluate and improve the quality of productions and services. The purpose of this article was to describe on successful introduction and application of the ISO system to human assisted reproductive technology (ART) center. Methods: Center for reproductive medicine and infertility of Cheil General Hospital started the action for ISO 9001:2000 certification at January-2004. The ISO system of our center was monitored by measuring the customer satisfaction index and periodical internal and external audit. Reports of non-conformity described corrective and preventive actions for problems and occurrences that were not consistent with the standard process and operation of our center. Continuous management and improvement were performed on the project of customer dissatisfaction. Results: Our center has got the certification of ISO 9001:2000 for "Research and development of IVF-ET program for infertility treatment" from Korean Foundation for Quality at June-2004. The policy of ISO was "To establish the best center of reproductive medicine and infertility" and "To establish the best quality management system". We found 140 cases and 7 cases of non-conformity in internal and external audit for three years, respectively, and performed corrective action. Conclusion: Improvement of customer satisfaction, systemic documentation and transparency and efficacy of working procedure were achieved by application and operation of the ISO system to our center. This ISO system could be used as a basic institutional management system for the national guideline to the human ART center.